In the article Two Inspired Designs for a Front Yard gardeners Jeff Epping and John Mathews shared their stunning design alternatives to the standard lawn. Situated in Madison, Wisconsin, both properties are now sources of inspiration for the surrounding neighborhood, pulling people off the curb and into these immersive landscapes.
These two gardeners have completely reimagined their front yards, turning small, street-facing spaces into breathtaking landscapes that defy convention. One property now thrives as a pollinator-friendly gravel garden, while the other showcases a serene, Asian-inspired retreat filled with texture and movement. If you’re ready to transform your curbside patch into something extraordinary, check out the hardworking plants that helped make these designs come to life.
Front Yard 1: A Pollinator Garden
- Calamint (Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta, Zones 5-7)
- ‘Summer Beauty’ allium (Allium ‘Summer Beauty’, Zones 4-9)
- Curlyleaf yucca (Yucca filamentosa, Zones 5-10)
- Eastern hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana, Zones 3-9)
- Invincibelle® Wee White smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA5’, Zones 3-9)
- ‘Hicksii’ yew (Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’, Zones 4-7)
- Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora, Zones 4-8)
- ‘Venus’ Carolina allspice (Calycanthus ‘Venus’, Zones 5-9)
- Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, Zones 5-9)
- ‘Green Gem’ boxwood (Buxus ‘Green Gem’, Zones 4-9)
- ‘Robustissima’ Japanese anemone (Anemone tomentosa ‘Robustissima’, Zones 4-8)
- ‘Pee Wee’ oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Pee Wee’, Zones 5-9)
- ‘The Blues’ little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’, Zones 3-9)
- Tartarian statice (Goniolimon tataricum, Zones 4-10)
- Calamint (Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta, Zones 5-7)
- Flowering spurge (Euphorbia corollata, Zones 4-8)
- ‘Prairie Moon’ rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium ‘Prairie Moon’, Zones 3-8)
- Glossy creeping sedum (Sedum selskianum, Zones 4-8)
- ‘Summer Beauty’ allium (Allium ‘Summer Beauty’, Zones 4-9)
- Flowering spurge (Euphorbia corollata, Zones 4-8)
- Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, Zones 5-9)
- Woodbine (Clematis virginiana, Zones 3-8)
Front Yard 2: An Asian-inspired Garden Oasis
- ‘Northern Lights’ dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Northern Lights’, Zones 5-9)
- Brass buttons (Leptinella squalida, Zones 4-10)
- ‘Aureola’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, Zones 5-9)
- ‘Slowmound’ mugo pine (Pinus mugo ‘Slowmound’, Zones 3-7)
- Arborvitae (Thuja cv., Zones 2-9)
- ‘Gyoko Sho Hime’ dwarf Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora ‘Gyoko Sho Hime’, Zones 5-9)
- ‘Tamukeyama’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Tamukeyama’, Zones 5-8)
- ‘Valley Cushion’ mugo pine (Pinus mugo ‘Valley Cushion’, Zones 2-7)
- ‘Bailey’s Gold’ sedum (Sedum floriferum ‘Bailey’s Gold’, Zones 3-8)
- ‘Seiryu’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Seiryu’, Zones 5-9)
- Solenia® Yellow Rieger begonia (Begonia x hiemalis cv., annual)
- ‘Wendy’ heuchera (Heuchera ‘Wendy’, Zones 4-9)
- ‘Noble Spirits’ Dwarf goat’s beard (Aruncus aethusifolius ‘Noble Spirits’, Zones 3-7)
- ‘Blue Shadow’ fothergilla (Fothergilla × intermedia ‘Blue Shadow’, Zones 5-8)
- ‘Bartzella’ Itoh peony (Paeonia ‘Bartzella’, Zones 4-9)
- Japanese stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia, Zones 5-8)
- Arborvitae (Thuja cv., Zones 2-9)
- ‘Jack Frost’ brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’, Zones 3-8)
- ‘Crimson Queen’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Crimson Queen’, Zones 5-9)
- ‘Snow Flurry’ dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Snow Flurry’, Zones 5-9)
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The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places
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A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody’s reach.
Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner
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Telescopic tree pruner with SK5 carbon steel blade which stays sharper for longer. Variable length telescopic handle extends up to 92 Inch (2340mm). Lopper for cutting branches up to 1.2″ (30mm). 13 inch (330mm) saw is ideal for cutting thicker branches. Supplied with a long cord and pull-action handle. Part of the Razorsharp Advantage collection, the obvious choice for gardeners who demand and expect precise, powerful performance. “Grow Your Own” Great British Growing 2020 Award Winners.
Scotts Cordless Grass-Shear/Shrub-Trimmer Combo
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
With a built-in 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery, this little guy weighs less than 2 lb. and can zip through all your minor pruning tasks quickly and easily.
– 13.5 x 3 x 5 inches
– Uses a 7.2-Volt 2Ah high-capacity built-in lithium-ion battery; Includes a fast charger
